Hole in the roof – Makowska began shooting about 12 years ago after visiting a ruined castle in Muszyna in southern Poland.

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Blue ballroom – Makowska says she doesn't want people to find the location of her images because "these places are destroyed and devastated, it's better for them to have been forgotten."

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'Darkness' descends – Many of Makowska's images are given enigmatic names. This photograph, possibly of a derelict church, is titled "Darkness."

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Abandoned objects – Occasionally Makowska's images feature abandoned objects -- such as an old armchair -- that give them a poignant, human touch.

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'Ethereal Dreams' – This image of two windows under a vaulted ceiling veined with decay is enigmatically titled "Ethereal Dreams."

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Rocking horse – Another room, another abandoned object. This time a mottled old rocking horse in what perhaps could have been a very ornate nursery.

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Crumbling corridor – Makowska, who lives in Warsaw, says she now wants to turn her lenses to nature, particularly "mountains, meadows and sea."

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Shafts of light – Many of Makowska's images feature sunlight shafting through windows or roof holes to pierce the dust and gloom.

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Swirling staircase – Makowska's former career as a history teacher may have helped the detailed research she carries out to track down her abandoned subjects.

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Studying the past – "The location of these places is hard work, the research involves maps, historical books and old guides and talking to people who live in the areas of the buildings," Makowska says.

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Forgotten corners – Makowska says she began shooting with old Russian analog cameras, but has since acquired more modern Nikon and Canon gear.

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From places to people – Makowska says she also wants to tackle human subjects. "This would be a breakthrough for me because so far my work hasn't involved any people or portraits," she says.

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"Everything Will Fill With Light" – As with many of Makowska's photographs, this image, titled "Everything Will Fill With Light," could almost be a painting -- although the graffiti is a giveaway.

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'Symphony of Destruction' – Another image with an enigmatic name. This is "Symphony of Destruction."

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'Memories of Days Gone By' – This image, titled "Memories of Days Gone By" contrasts the unreal aquamarine and copper color scheme of the elaborate interior with the brightly lit, natural greens of the trees outside.

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Story highlights

Former history teacher Patrycja Makowska specializes in photographing dereliction

Makowska refuses to reveal the location of the buildings, saying they should be forgotten

"Places reflect our soul, tell the forgotten story of love, disaster, war, as well as ordinary life," Makowska, a former history teacher from Poland, tells CNN as she tries to explain her shroud of secrecy.

"Everything passes, even the power of past times is often forgotten. And that's why I don't give any addresses, because often these places are destroyed and devastated, it's better for them to have been forgotten."

Not, however, forgotten by Makowska's cameras.

She uses old analog Russian photo equipment and lenses, plus some more modern Canon and Nikon equipment to create images that pay homage to the original grandeur of these baroque structures.

With otherworldly titles such as "Ethereal Dreams" and "Lost Under the Surface," her photographs have an unrealistic quality more closely associated with paintings -- but the incredible detail on display would take more than a lifetime's worth of brushstrokes to recreate.